Complementary education pathways are higher education opportunities through which refugees are admitted to a third country, i.e., a country other than their country of origin and the first country in which they have sought protection. Access of the refugees to these opportunities is based on their education and language skills as opposed to their protection needs. Education opportunities offered through these pathways should allow for a long-term solution through a regular migration system or asylum system in the new country instead of short-term study and scholarship programmes.
These opportunities contribute to refugees’ economic and social empowerment while increasing their agency and self-reliance. At the same time, they benefit host communities and institutions with a more prosperous academic environment, enhanced social cohesion, and improved academic infrastructure and resources.
Since 2025, Australia began a new pilot program allowing refugees to migrate to Australia to take up tertiary education opportunities Australia – Refugee Student Settlement Pathway — Skill Path
Other available opportunities worldwide are contained in the UNHCR Scholarship Opportunities for Refugees
If you are registered with UNHCR Thailand and would like to learn more about the DAFI programme in Thailand, please register for counselling with UNHCR.
DAFI Tertiary Scholarship Programme
The DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) scholarship programme offers qualified refugee the possibility to earn an undergraduate degree in their country of asylum or home country. Through the dedicated support of the governments of Germany, Denmark and the Czech Republic, UNHCR and private donors, the programme has supported over 18,000 young refugees to undertake tertiary studies since 1992. To learn more, please visit the DAFI programme FAQs
